Gustave frantz lyon



Patented Aug. 9, I898.

G. F. LYON.

CHROMATIC TIIBAL.

filed Due. 93, 1897.)

Invent or (No Model.)

Witness e s 1H: mums PEYERS co, WCTO-UYHC, WASHWGTON. m c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE...

GUSTAVE FRANTZ LYON, OF, PARIS, FRANCE.

CHROMATIC TIMBAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 608,884, dated August 9, 1898.

Application filed December 23, 1897. Serial No. 663,225. (No model.) Patented in France December 1, 1897,1rl0. 264,409

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GUSTAVE FRANTZ LYON, a citizen of France, residing at Paris, in the Department of the Seine, France, have inventeda newand useful Improvement in Chromatic Timbals, (for which I have obtained Letters Patent of Addition in France, No. 264:,409, dated December 1, 1897,) of which the following is a specification.

The purpose of my invention is to provide a timbal embodying certain novel improvements upon the invention shown and described in Letters Patent of the United States granted and issued to me upon the 13th day of July, 1897, No. 586,503.

This improved chromatic timbal or kettledrum has for its object to provide improved means for effecting variations in the extent or area of the vibrating surface to vary the number of vibrations of the parchment or the like diaphragm without altering the degree of tension of the said diaphragm.

Means described and shown in aforesaid Letters Patent No. 586,503 relate to a chromatic timbal circular in shape in which the diaphragm is at all times limited by rings. N ow my novel invention relates to similar means for a chromatic timbal rectangular in shape, with a new process for altering the areas in vibration.

In order that my invention may be clearly understood, I shall now proceed to describe the same,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the mechanism employed is represented by way of example only.

Figure 1 is a vertical elevation, and Fig. 2 is a section at line A B of Fig. 1.

The parchment or like vibrating diaphragm 1 is stretched by means of screws on a rectangular frame 2. A slide may glide parallel to the longitudinal axis of this rectangular frame. This slide consists of two vertical posts 3 3, which are connected by a rod 4. This slide carries two cylinders 5 and 6,which are parallel to the smaller sides of the rectangular frame 2. They are disposed above and below the diaphragm 1, and each of them is in contact with one side of the diaphragm, so as to press it between them. A rack 7,

moved by means of any kind of wheel mechanism S, carries the whole slide. In this manner both said cylinders 5 and 6 are moved over the surface of the diaphragm, causing thus the variation of the area of the diaphragmsurface and of its number of vibrations. If desired, the said wheel 8 may carry an index moving on a graduation, indicating thus the different notes required, provided the degree of tension of the diaphragm continues unaltered.

Accessories and details may vary without departure from the principle of the invention. For instance,springs may be provided to move the slide back, other springs may press the two cylinders 5 and 6 together, the wheel mechanism 8 may be operated by the foot, and so on.

. I declare that what I claim isl. A chromatic timbal 0r kettledrum comprising in its construction, two elements, first, a suitable frame. carrying a vibratory diaphragm, and second, a pair of surfaces normally in contact with the opposite faces of said diaphragm, and means for shifting the position of one of said elements with respect to the other to vary the surface area of the diaphragm.

2. A chromatic timbal or kettledrum comprising a suitable frame carrying a vibratory diaphragm, a pair of cylinders mounted, respectively, above and below the said diaphragm and in contact with the opposite surfaces thereof, and means for moving said cylinders over the surface of the diaphragm to vary its area without altering its degree of tension, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. A chromatic timbal or kettledrum comprising a rectangular frame carrying a vibratory diaphragm, a pair of rollers mounted, respectively, above and below the said diaphragm and in contact with the opposite faces thereof, a movable frame in which said rollers are mounted, a toothed rack on said frame, and a gear-wheel meshing with said rack and adapted when rotated, to move the frame and rollers, as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GUSTAVE FRANTZ LYON,

Witnesses:

Enwnnn P. MACLEAN, ALFRED GEORGE Faun". 

